WALTON MP Steve Rotheram is among city leaders who will formally request News International to release all its files on the Hillsborough disaster.

A motion to be put before the council tonight will attempt to put pressure on Sun newspaper bosses to follow the government’s lead in agreeing to disclose documents relating to the 1989 tragedy, which claimed 96 lives.

Sheffield MP Clive Betts – who was leader of Sheffield council at the time of the disaster – has also agreed to release his own papers relating to the aftermath of the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

The council motion seeks the “full disclosure of all records, including sources and documents relating to the 'The Truth' story to the Hillsborough Independent Panel”.

The motion adds: “Council also requests that the Leader of the City Council and Chief Executive write to the editor of The Sun newspaper and the Chief Executives of News Group Newspapers Ltd and News international Ltd, requesting full disclosure.”

Walton MP Steve Rotheram, who as a member of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee could be given the chance to grill former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie if he agrees to appear at its hearing, said: “I think it’s time that News International and anyone who was connected with the events, and the aftermath, should enter into the spirit of what we are trying to achieve, which is full disclosure.

“We have got to keep this going. If you go back, it was always in the headlines then it kind of faded into the background, but for the families it did not fade.

“They’re still fighting and it needs to keep the momentum that’s building up again.”

The motion also requests the council to write a letter of thanks to the originators of the e-petition that prompted the first Commons debate on the tragedy.